iOS 5 turns on earthquake notifications for Japan

iOS 5 will include built-in earthquake notifications for Japan, reports note. The option is currently located at the bottom of the Japanese iOS 5 Notification Center. Flipping a slider allows an iOS device to receive warnings from the country's official earthquake warning system, which can give a person up to two minutes to prepare for the full impact of a disaster....

Source: http://feeds.macnn.com/click.phdo?i=4e5b51b35e0fa12309db50110e07297b

applecare apple news rumors apple newspaper macworld expo

NPD: Android at 52% of US smartphone share, iPhone up to 29%

Android made up more than half of smartphones shipped in the US during the spring, according to new NPD data. Google accounted for 52 percent of sales in the period. None of that was at Apple's expense, however, as Apple kept gaining share and reached 29 percent in the same period....

Source: http://feeds.macnn.com/click.phdo?i=f252467b3c87f87e585c273a3652fb5e

mac genius bar macintosh apple store uk iwork 09

iPad cases and stands: The few, the proud, the innovative

The flow of new iPad cases and stands continues unabated here at TUAW Labs, where I'm making room for the next round of goodies by boxing up what I've reviewed over the past few months and shipping it to NYC for the Engadget meetup. In order to get a few more into the box, I'm taking a look at the G-Form Extreme Sleeve 2 (US$69.95), Bracketron iTilt stand ($19.95), and ZooGue Case Genius for iPad 2 ($49.99). The nice thing about these three iPad accessories is that they all have something innovative and unique to make them stand out from the crowd.

G-Form Extreme Sleeve 2

The first thing I have to say about the G-Form Extreme Sleeve 2 is that it is, at least to my eyes, butt-ugly. The second thing is that despite the looks, it's probably one of the best protective sleeves that I've seen for the iPad.

As you can see from the photo below, the Extreme Sleeve 2 comes in a eye-jarringly bright yellow with a flexible armor that would be more at home on a Navy SEAL than an iPad. Fortunately for those of us with sensitive eyes, G-Form also makes the Extreme Sleeve 2 in a more sedate black.

It's the armor that counts here, though, and this would be perfect for carrying an iPad or iPad 2 around to construction sites, campsites, college dorms, kindergartens, or other potential disaster areas where a broken iPad is just a slip away.

The Extreme Sleeve 2 uses a material called PORON XRD that stiffens and absorbs energy from impacts to protect your iPad. This material is also water-resistant, and it's surprisingly lightweight. How good is the protection? Well, answer this question -- will your iPad sleeve protect your iPad against the impact of a 12-lb. bowling ball being dropped from a three-foot height?

If you're going for sleek style, look elsewhere, but if you want to protect your iPad, the G-Form Extreme Sleeve 2 is probably right for you.

Bracketron iTilt

I wrote about this product a little over a week ago, but I wanted to bring it up again. Why? Because it's rare to find a product that is both inexpensive and does one job very well. For $20, you're getting a very adjustable and sturdy iPad stand that folds flat for transport. For those of us who like our Smart Covers and don't want to have buy some expensive, fancy case with a folding leg that pops out of the back, this is perfect for using the iPad hands-free.

I just wish the iTilt had one feature built into it -- a Google+ "plus" button or a Facebook "Like" button.

ZooGue Case Genius for iPad 2

I've been a big fan of ZooGue's iPad cases since Macworld Expo 2011, when the company seemed to be giving them away to everyone in sight. Frankly, they did a good job of marketing the case by doing so, as they made it easy for a lot of the Apple press to get their hands on one of the most versatile iPad cases on the market.

The second-generation (perhaps third?) Case Genius is now available for iPad 2, and it still beats most of the competition in terms of being able to do a lot of tasks very well. Want a portfolio case that adjusts to a huge range of angles? It'll do that. Want a case with a hand strap so you can carry the iPad around while you do your rounds in the hospital? Yep, the Case Genius can do it. How about a case that you can strap to the car headrest so the kids can watch a movie while you're driving? Case Genius does it.

The Velcro-covered leather case has improved as time has gone by, and the company obviously responds positively to owner comments. The ZooGue Case Genius for iPad 2 definitely wins the prize for "iPad case most likely to be used everywhere in your life."

Conclusion

I was pleasantly surprised with all three of these iPad accessories, since all of them bring something unique and innovative to the table. The ZooGue Case Genius is priced less than other cases or stands that have much less capability, the Bracketron iTilt takes up very little space when folded and is actually reasonably priced, and the G-Force Extreme Sleeve 2 can literally take a pounding.

Stay tuned to TUAW this weekend for several reviews of other innovative accessories for iOS devices.

iPad cases and stands: The few, the proud, the innovative originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Source | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.tuaw.com/2011/08/19/ipad-cases-and-stands-the-few-the-proud-the-innovative/

apple stocks news apple imac news apple store deutschland mac computer store

Reviews: Nokia X7

Much has changed since we last looked at a Nokia phone: what was once the undisputed king of smartphones is now fighting to stay a major player after Apple and Google took over. With Windows Phone coming soon, then, devices like the X7 are attempts to bridge the gap and keep Symbian relevant in an era where big screens, gaming, and Twitter mean more than phone calls and e-mail. But is it a prope ......

Source: http://feeds.macnn.com/click.phdo?i=7b73cba7a7f669b778a05a7076009228

applecare apple news rumors apple newspaper macworld expo

Lenovo: Apple won't dominate tablets forever

Apple is experiencing explosive growth in China, overtaking computer manufacturer Lenovo in its home country. Lenovo, though, is not threatened by Apple's success and notes that the companies are competing in two different markets. CEO Yang Yuanquing said, "Their (Apple) calculation includes the phone business but Lenovo's main focus is in PCs; our phone business isn't that strong even in China."

This is a situation Lenovo hopes to change by introducing a variety of Android and Windows tablets in the coming years. Unlike Apple which targets the high-end market with its US$499 iPad, Lenovo will focus on all tiers of the tablet market. Yang hopes to gain tablet market share by introducing mid and low-range devices that appeal to low-income customers in the smaller cities and townships. "We will be one of the strongest of the players in this area," Yang reportedly told the Financial Times.

[AllThingsD]

Lenovo: Apple won't dominate tablets forever originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Source | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.tuaw.com/2011/08/22/lenovo-apple-wont-dominate-tablets-forever/

macworld 2009 apple tablet news macintosh news apple latest news

Dear Aunt TUAW: Help me choose between a Wi-Fi and 3G iPad

Dear Aunt TUAW,

Should I buy a Wi-Fi iPad or a 3G model? I need to know! Please help me choose!

Your loving niece,

Meg

Dear Meg,

Auntie's helped other nieces and nephews with this same dilemma and it always seems to boil down to this: do you own an iPhone?

If not, spring for the 3G. Ubiquitous computing is what really makes iOS sparkle. You won't be sorry you sprung for the 3G experience. Auntie's dad swears by it.

At the same time, the Wi-Fi is usually enough for most iPhone owners. Wi-Fi units are lighter and cheaper. If you need to get work done, there's the iPhone hotspot service if you can't get access near a Coffee House.

The 3G isn't just about getting online. Location-based services make so many apps compelling. So if you can't get those on your phone, be sure to grab them for an iPad.

Yes, there are a few edge cases here -- mostly surrounding grandfathered unlimited plans that can't be used with hotspot service. (Just wait until September/October. Auntie's betting that those unlimited plans are about to drop like flies.) But Auntie's advice holds. If you have connectivity and GPS on your phone, you probably can live without it on your iPad.

Hugs,

Auntie T.

Dear Aunt TUAW: Help me choose between a Wi-Fi and 3G iPad originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Source | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.tuaw.com/2011/08/19/dear-aunt-tuaw-help-me-choose-between-a-wi-fi-and-3g-ipad/

macintosh computers apple news conference live feed tech news apple news live